It was a day for enjoying once last trip to a sandy beach and warm waters, at least until the next visit to the seashore. CocoCay was also a day for enjoying being with friends one last time, for saying goodbyes, for drinking in the fact that we had traveled all the way around the world. WE SAILED AROUND THE WORLD!
I was a little slower than Karl to get off of Serenade to make my way onto the island
so I tagged along with Laura and Bob once again.
Royal did a nice job of beginning our welcome home. We celebrated on CocoCay in their new area called Hideaway Bay, which was supposed to be reserved just for passengers on Serenade. We had special wristbands to get us in. It was a nice area with lots of lounge chairs, beachfront, a massive infinity pool, and a variety of different places to get food.
When we entered they gave us these crazy straws and a refreshing drink. Unfortunately the straws didn't survive the trip home. They were fun while they lasted.
We had front row seats for the water show in the bay.
This guy was super fun to watch, as was his partner who did tricks on a jet ski. Somehow even though we watched the show twice I didn't get photos of the latter doing any of his flips.
We were sharing the island with the gigantic Wonder of the Seas, which made it extra nice to have an area reserved for us, their passengers had the rest of the island.
We really spent all our time just chatting with people while we were in and out of the water, getting sunburned, and trying empanadas, coconut shrimp, and frozen drinks. It was a completely relaxing few hours in the water and on the loungers. In this photo it was farewell to Hideaway Bay,
and the fun of a Perfect Day at CocoCay.
We checked back on to the ship one last time and two of my favorite security staff were there. Evelyn, on the left, had been on the ship for almost the entire trip. She always had a ready smile and a "Welcome Home" as we got back on Serenade. Sheila, on the right, started her contract later on in the trip but she great as well. I needed photos to remember them and their kindness.
That night we also had a final celebration cake in the Windjammer.
I suspect we may have picked up a new baker somewhere because this cake was the best one we'd had the entire cruise. :)
I got a photo in the WJ with my friend Paul, who was always so willing and happy to bring anything we wanted, always giving a smile and "Hello Ma'am!" when he saw me.
And another picture with Ellen, who oversaw all the staff in the Windjammer. I don't think that she ever slept, she was always there when the WJ was open, always encouraging her staff.
As the sun began to set we headed up to the bow of the ship to get ready for the fireworks. One last photo of Mark and Jane, who I will miss so much,
and another of me with my beloved sister friends, LeaAnn and Jane. A final Marigolds pic, so many wonderful memories made with these two. 🩷
CocoCay and a glimpse to the right of the fireworks barge.
And I got one last hug from my buddy Wyatt. He and his brother, Everett, have been so fun to watch and interact with the entire trip. I still remember Wyatt introducing himself as WOW (his initials), the first time I met him. He had been a wow of a hugger and I was grateful for those hugs.
The fireworks were great fun to watch,
a colorful show that
ended with a grand finale.
After the final show in the Tropical Theater that night they brought crew representatives onto the stage for us to give them a standing ovation. They have all gone above and beyond for nine months to make this cruise the trip of a lifetime, they are all part of the family.
And then it was time to get the bags outside, ready to be picked up so they could be delivered to port in the morning. We were able to get everything in them that we needed, grateful we had shipped two more suitcases from New York. It really was sinking in that the adventure was over, the final Homecoming would be the next day!
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